It’s been a busy time, I have to say. 2016 has started off with a bang! Along with a surge of new Educator Guide opportunities and other cool deals, I’ve been happily promoting for both of my beloved writing communities’ upcoming events. I’ve had my nose buried in Photoshop, Wordpress, and Hootsuite for weeks!

SCBWI-MI has kept me hopping as the Social Media Maven touting the ever-so-awesome roaring twenties-themed Wild Wild Midwest Conference 2016 being held in Naperville, Illinois from Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill-everyday conference, mind you. No way. You see, six Midwestern SCBWI chapters have joined forces to host a shindig to beat the band. Get this – 600 participants, 35 speakers, 40 sessions, 8 intensives, portfolio reviews, critiques, contests and a costume party! It’s going to be SUCH FUN! I cannot wait. Registration opens Monday, Feb. 1.

And, then there’s the event that is super-close to my heart – The VCFA AMR being held on campus in Montpelier from June 16 to 19th. Oh, how I love coordinating this homecoming! I so enjoy touching base with alums all over the nation. Being that we have a new two track registration option this year, I have a feeling I’ll get to be in contact with even more of my MFA brethren. Want to know more about the AMR? Feel free to download an informational flyer here. It’s pretty darned swanky. I tell you.

Registration for the VCFA WCYA Alumni Mini Residency will opens on Friday, Feb. 12. Two weeks from now my inbox will be bursting and absolutely nothing will make me happier!

It’s been a worrisome week. I’ll not deny it. Two good friends, who happen to be debut authors, have fallen on hard times. Really, really hard times. My heart aches when I think about the impact these situations will have on all aspects of their lives. We’re not playing games with this stuff. It’s the real deal.

While I’m terribly concerned for their personal and families’ well-being, I am really bummed that these incidents add burden to what should be a joyful experience – being a debut author! They’ve worked so hard. They’re such deserving people. It just ain’t fair.

And, then, as I over-think their situations (a practice I often engage in), I have to wonder if the very nature of being a debut author, and all the trappings therein, contributed to their distress. Not that being a debut author is the primary reason trouble showed up at their doors, mind you. Instead, that perhaps, the stress and demands of preparing for their debuts may have played a role in their angst. I certainly hope not. But it’s possible. Right?

There’s got to be a way to strike a balance in this thing and I'm on the hunt to find it.

I truly admire the authors and illustrators I’m privileged to know who have lovely families and full-time jobs and are physically fit and publish on a regular basis! How, the heck, are they able to do it all? It’s amazing to me.

Author Nikki Loftin - isn't she lovely? Inside and out, I tell you.

Some time ago I asked the very, very talented Nikki Loftin what advice she might have for an embryonic debut author. Nikki is an incredible mom, a loving wife, and a full-time author who is pulling this gig off in style (All that, plus she’s fun to be with and as cute as a kitten.). I want to know what someone as prolific as Nikki has to say, don’t you?

“So… my advice,” Nikki said, “would be to keep a journal/notebook/mental tally of all the GOOD things that happen in the first year (before and after pub date). The bad stuff will start to seem overwhelming at some point (bad reviews, missed opportunities, rejections of the next book or four), and it can be really hard to see the amazing things that have happened in the middle of all the mud.”

There you have it. Count blessings, even if they’re sloppy. Nikki’s not glossing over the issue that publishing your first (and preceding) books is and will be hard work. Instead, she’s reminding us that it is critical to acknowledge and remember the butterfly kisses along the way, too. Great advice!

In closing, my wish for you, my troubled friends, is that a monarch stops by and lays a big, wet smooch on the tip of your nose to remind you that you’re loved and cherished by all.

After spending a lovely holiday with my husband, this week I've been back in the guide-crafting saddle again and loving it. I've also been taking some time to plan for new projects such as a public speaking opportunity and working on a brand-spanking new creative piece. The VCFA 2016 AMR is well underway. The SCBWI Wild Wild Midwest Chicago or Bust Conference social media campaign is gearing up nicely. Plus, I've got a number of Playing Like a Girl ideas rolling around in my brain just waiting to be born. For all of these prospects and projects, color me grateful.

Grateful for so many things - my home, my friends, and my work. In this moment, I'm appreciating the authors, illustrators, and publishers who I've had the great privilege to create guides for. It's just awesome to think that a simple act of making a Reader's Guide for a friend years ago has morphed into an enterprise of sorts! It makes me very, very happy to be of service to others in this way.

So, thank you to those whom I've had the joy of crafting a guide for and to those who are lined up in the queue to do. Your fascinating topics, innovative illustrations, and rocking writing continue to enrich my life. I look forward to each and every day getting to work with your masterpieces. Thanks!

Vicky Lorencen and her family thrive in Michigan with a cat named Finn and a guinea pig named Oliver. By day, she is a communication specialist and media liaison for a regional health system, by night (or lunch time), Vicky writes picture books and middle grade novels. She’s been published in Highlights, Ladybug, Girls’ Life and many other children’s publications. Vicky is represented by literary agent Erin Murphy. Learn more at VickyLorencen.com.

Explain the inspiration for the title of your blog – Frog on a Dime.

Okay, well, in 2012, scientists met a frog in Papua New Guinea who was so small he could sit on a dime, with change to spare. He won the title of World’s Smallest Known Vertebrate. Once word got out about the wee dime sitter, amphibian experts noted that we keep finding smaller and smaller frogs. Why? An expert with Conservation International suggested the frogs are adapting to fill a niche that nothing else can fill. This teensy amphibian phenom of the rain forest captured my imagination because I see him as a metaphor for my little blog and its place in the blogosphere. And I guess that’s what I’m hoping my blog will do for readers (and for me)–fill a niche that nothing else can fill.

How long has Frog on a Dime been in existence? How often do you post? What topics do you tend to focus on?

Frog on a Dime celebrates its third anniversary this month. It debuted on December 15, 2012. I post 2 to 3 times a month. Frog on a Dime exists to be a source of encouragement. I’ve blogged about tough topics such as dealing with jealousy, writer’s block, rejection and as well as finding an agent or a critique group, and lots of how-to topics.

I noticed that you have well over 1000 followers. Have you engaged in promotional events in order to gain followers or has this number steadily grown over the years?

Followers have converged over time from a variety of sources—SCBWI, Facebook, conferences, and the like. Once in a while someone simply stumbles in while presumably searching for something else, likes what they read and stays. That’s gratifying. Promotional events have resulted in new followers each time, but so far, they haven’t caused a startling uptick.

Do you feel it is important for a pre-published author to have a web presence before launching their first book? Why or why not?

Absolutely. It’s important to have a positive and professional web presence, whether it be on social media, a blog, a web site, or any combination. If you don’t have a web site or don’t actively engage with social media, you’re pretty much invisible. That said, your writing and reading time must always have priority over building a web presence.

Even though I don’t have a published book, I chose to start a blog because I wanted to create a platform in preparation for the day I do. In the meantime, I knew I wanted to offer readers something. That’s when I decided that something would be encouragement because it’s something of value all creative folks need and I can give.

Frog on a Dime exists to encourage, so if promoting a book I love for an author I admire will help to increase readership and awareness for the author, I’m happy to do it. If the giveaway results in a few new followers or awareness for my blog, that’s a delightful bonus.

While I typically tie a giveaway to an author interview or guest blog, I have done a few fun “untied” giveaways to generate excitement, engage readers and reward followers.

List the benefits in hosting a book giveaway campaign.

A book giveaway raises awareness of the book and its author (and/or illustrator), which may encourage book sales for the author.

A giveaway naturally raises awareness and good vibes for your blog, which may result in an increase in followers or readers.

It’s fun—you get to make the winner and the author happy. Fun is my favorite.

Describe the steps required to establish a book giveaway.

Assuming you already have a guest author blog post or interview, and have a copy of the book in hand or have a guaranteed source and you’re ready to roll . . .

1. Include the word giveaway in the title of your post. (The words Free and Giveaway were the prom queens of high school you know. So popular.)

2.Let your followers know you’re giving away the book mentioned (and shown) in the post. If it’s a signed copy or you can get it personalized for the winner, be sure to mention that.

4.Set a date/time deadline for entering and state when you’ll choose a winner.

5.Let contestants know what they need to do to enter—it can be as simple as leaving their name in the comment section of your post. I’ve asked for favorite quotes or feedback on my blog or suggestions for future posts or asked contestants to invite someone to follow, stuff like that. You could use bigger hoops, like “the person who writes the best whatever” versus a chance drawing, but that creates work for you. Ew.

6.Ask contestants to enter on your site itself versus commenting on Facebook. Otherwise, it’s tough to track who posted what, where and when, and some folks—believe it or not—may just enter without ever placing an eyeball on your blog. I know. Shocking.

7.Hit your deadline, pick your winner (you can use an app or just draw from little slips of paper like I do) and announce your winner in a follow-up blog post.

8.Let the winner know where to send his/her address.

9.Mail off that book with a friendly note. Have a cup of tea. You did good.

Who typically initiates a book giveaway campaign, you or the author/illustrator?

So far, I’ve been the initiator. I especially like to do giveaways for debut authors, so I’ll invite the author to guest blog or to be interviewed so we can promote the shiny, new book.

Do you find that hosting book giveaway campaign generates more activity on your blog?

Indeed. I do see an uptick in activity whenever I offer a giveaway of any kind on my blog. It’s worth the fuss.

Thanks very much for this opportunity! It was fun to share.

Thank YOU, Vicky!!! Wishing you all the best in your publishing pursuits.

I’ve been snooping around discovering ways that clever Kris Remenar has been promoting her darling Groundhog’s Dilemma (Charlesbridge, 2015). She’s one smart debut author, I have to tell you.

I invite you to take some time to peruse her exceptional website. Of course, being a librarian, Kris has a wealth of resources at her fingertips. Take a moment and see how generously she shares her knowledge and expertise. I like the way the website reflects her likeable, charming personality, too. Nicely done.

My sleuthing uncovered an insightful Let’s Get Busy podcast Kris did with her acclaimed illustrator (and husband!) Matt Faulkner. The interviewer is Matthew Winner, elementary library specialist and cofounder of All the Wonders. I am so glad to have discovered this resource. After you’ve scoured Kris’ website, pop over to check it out. All the Wonders is packed with podcasts, videos, crafts, and projects. Oh, man! My head is spinning with ideas galore!

Friends, these folks will be good to get to know when my (our) time draws near.

Kris also asked the ReaderKidZ to do a review, which is printed below. We jumped at the chance to do so! Truth be told, Kris and Matt have created a masterpiece. Groundhog’s Dilemmais a book that kids and their parents will, undoubtedly, want to read over and over again. On the surface, the story and illustrations are engaging and great fun. Dare to go a little deeper and the reader will discover the tenacity it takes to be true to oneself.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fair-minded Groundhog is caught in a conundrum. The seasonal prediction he makes on Groundhog Day pleases some of his friends, but not all. Bear and Hare want six more weeks of winter. Squirrel and Sparrow, most definitely, do not. Groundhog explains that he’s not in control of the weather. Instead, he merely “Calls it like he sees it.”

When springtime eventually arrives, the animals of the forest resort to manipulation and bribery hoping to influence Groundhog’s future shadow-watching declarations. His social calendar overflows with invitations to baseball games, dining opportunities, and entertaining experiences unlike those he’s ever known! Truth be told, he enjoys the attention. However, come February 2, there will be a price to pay. Will Groundhog be able to truthfully state what his shadow reveals or will he be swayed in efforts to please others?

Groundhog’s Dilemma (Charlesbridge, 2015) explores themes of friendship, integrity, and honor is the most delightful ways. Debut author Kris Remenar’s sparse, tongue-in cheek text is hilarious, lively, and perfectly complimented by husband Matt Faulkner’s incredibly detailed illustrations. Groundhog’s Dilemma is both funny and poignant, one that readers will enjoy time and time again.

An observation I’ve made over the years is that many successful writers continue to support organizations that helped them along the rocky road to publication. Be it SCBWI, a local writing group, or other esteemed writing programs, some of the finest authors and illustrators I know seem to find a way to “dance with the one that brought them.” While I’ve got a lot of two-stepping down the bumpy road to publication success ahead of me, I plan on demonstrating my gratitude to VCFA and SCBWI by chipping in any way I can.

Read the little ditty below if you’d like to know more about the upcoming VCFA WCYA Alumni Mini-Residency. If you have any questions at all, shoot me note and I’ll be glad to answer it!

Hey, alums! Hope to see you there!!!!

The annual WCYA Alumni Mini-Residency, known as the AMR, is a weekend conference that mirrors the VCFA residency experience while focusing on the professional aspects of one’s writing career. During the event attendees participate in a Master Class presented by the industry’s finest award-winning authors; interface with editors and literary agents; are coached by publicists; attend lectures and workshops led by VCFA faculty members; and are given multiple rich opportunities to elevate their writing careers to the highest level possible.

Every year WCYA alumni – from recently graduated to those from residencies long passed – return to campus for inspiration, collaboration, and in celebration of one another’s successes. The dates for AMR 2016 are June 17 to 19. Registration opens on February 15.

Please take a moment to review the AMR 2016 information posted on the VCFA website. You’ll find that the faculty and programming planned for this summer’s event is incredible. Whether you’re pre-published or have a series of books with your name proudly printed on the spine, the WCYA Alumni Mini-Residency is perfectly suited to support your writing career, no matter where you are in the publishing business.

I had some fun toying around with Twitter the other day. Check out how easy it is to support a friend in 140 characters or less.

Debut author Carmen Oliver is doing everything right. She recently had a book trailer made by Square Bear Studio and it is adorable. So much so that Carmen and her trailer were featured on Cynsations! Well, I had to jump on the promotional train, too, and tweet about it.

Y'all, Twitter is an absolute blast to use! It's a great feeling to witness the tweeting and retweeting 140 simple characters initiate. Twitter is a community builder, for sure.

I've created a .pdf tracing the steps I used to celebrate Carmen's good news. If you're not tweeting yet, look it over. You'll see just how easy it is to join in the Twitter chatter.

In closing, take a look at that adorable book trailer I mentioned earlier. It's mighty to hard to wait for that March pub date...

I’ve been gathering website tips and ideas all week long. You see, website stalking is part of my teacher guide crafting business. I pull author and illustrator information from sites for reference in guides on a regular basis. I appreciate it when their information is structured and packaged in a convenient manner. Oftentimes, I craft discussion topics based on the personal information they’ve offered. I like to quickly access facts I need, snag a picture, and pop them in the guide. Ba-da-bing! Ba-da-boom!

As you can see, Carmen’s site is crisp, clean, and easy to maneuver about. (Erik knows what he’s doing, I tell ya’.) I was able to find Carmen’s professional scoop p.d.q. by accessing the ABOUT tab. Her interesting personal information is clear, concise, and right there for the sharing.

I do have a question for Erik, though. If you notice, on the ABOUT page, beneath the sub-title LINK, one can access a nicely formatted Press Kit. I wonder how to link a zip file to a web page. Hmmmm. Now there’s an idea to explore.

Thanks, Carmen and Erik, for letting me snoop around the new website. It’s a beauty!

Redesigning a website? Ugh, that’s a monster of an ordeal. Lucky for me, in January my daughter, Taylor, undertook that task of building this one for me. Gratitude for her swells within each time I access mine. I really like my Squarespace website. It’s clean, organized, affordable, and easy to update (when I get around to doing it). I wonder what the internet thinks about www.debbiegonzales.com. Let’s find out. Want to?

They’re giving me an Overall score of 7.6 out of 10. I’ll take it, for now. I think that fact that I’ve had this site since 2009 helped the 8.4 score in the Amount of Content category. Whew.

Yipes! A 6.2 for marketing!!!! Goose eggs for Google+ and Analytics! And a 2.8 for Popularity? Oh, dear. I have my work cut out for me, don’t I? Boy, oh boy...do I ever.

As part of my debut author prep, I think it's important to wrap my head around this stuff. I'll bet, if I can change my red scores to green and the greens to blue I'll be stepping in high cotton with an Overall score of 8.5 or so! While I'm not going to go crazy over these numbers, I am going to learn about them. Because, face it, debut authors need a solid presence on the internet, one that has been established well before the book is in print. Yes ma'am, we sure do.

Well, fellow debut author, guess what we're going to doing over the next few weeks.

Thanks to Andrea Cascardi’s wise words in last week’s post, I’ve been thinking a lot about befriending my community as being an early step to promoting my book. Even though the pub date for Playing Like a Girl isn’t until 2017, I’m heeding her words and starting early!

Andrea said to “go out personally and meet local booksellers and librarians.” This should not be that hard to do. Bookstores and libraries should be my way of life, right? Well, I have to confess that most of my book shopping online. I can feed my book addiction without shedding my bath robe. Also, I don’t linger when I go to the library. I get what I need – pronto – and I’m out of there. It's clear that I have to make an effort to create a few more face-to-face opportunities with these folks.

Honestly though, when you get right down to it, I’m not entirely comfortable with the notion of talking up my book. Oh, I’m plenty friendly, for sure. Meeting people is one my most favorite things to do. I love finding out what makes people tick. Yet, to turn the conversation around on myself…uh... that’s a toughie for me. I’d best get over it and the sooner, the better.

This week offered two opportunities to befriend influential folk – a book launch on Wednesday and a Thursday morning back matter research session at the library. While attending the launch at Nicola's Books, I did connect with Lynn, the event coordinator. She was really busy scrambling about stacking chairs. It didn't seem like the time to plug my book. Instead, we shook hands, I introduced myself as an author and that I'd come back sometime to get to know her better. It was a super pleasant exchange.

Engaging with the children's librarian was an equally delightful experience. Once again, I introduced myself as an author doing research on the Silk Road for a publisher, and would she have the time to point me in the right direction. She was helpful, cordial, and as cute as a kitten. There was a storytime session going on in another room. Those little rug rats were having FUN! The library was alive with the kids' electric energy! I decided that I'm going to make a regular practice of spending time in my sweet local library. Befriending those gatekeepers will be a blast!

You know, in a way, this week I think I befriended myself, too. Introducing myself as an author to influential professionals is a HUGE step for me. Doing so didn't feel hokey or fake. Instead, it felt all right. Believable. True.

How about you, fellow debut author? Will you go out and meet the librarians and booksellers, too? Will you introduce yourself as an author and talk about your book in a light, conversational manner? Will you connect with the community in a genuine way? How will you befriend the author in you? Come on. Let’s do this together.

Just for fun, I’ve made some downloadable Contact Cards. I haven't used the cards yet, but I plan on making notes on them and then transferring the information to my phone and, maybe, Evernote. I’ll be glad to share the .pdf with you. Click HERE to download the document. You’ll need to use scissors to trim around the borders.

Maybe keeping these cards nearby will keep us confident! We can do this! Yes, we can!

As luck would have it, this week I had the great pleasure of enjoying a phone conversation with one of the most delightful individuals I know – Andrea Cascardi. I first met Andrea when she was working as an agent with Transatlantic Literary Agency. I was serving as Regional Advisor for the Austin SCBWI chapter at the time. She was an esteemed guest during one of our most awesome annual conferences. As an RA, you relate with agents and editors on a personal level all the time. Getting to personally know Andrea was a sheer pleasure, to be sure.

During our phone conversation, Andrea and I chatted about successful marketing strategies for debut authors. Like many others, I wonder . . . what avenues are most effective in spreading the word about our books – blog tours, paid publicists, social media marketing, and speaking engagements? Where does a debut author start?

According to Andrea, one the most effective ways to promote your book is to connect with community – be it on the local level, a professional level such as with SCBWI or library associations, and/or through social media. She said to go out and personally meet local booksellers and librarians. Sure, let them know that soon there will be a book to buy. But let your intention be get to know one another. Become genuine friends. Not what’s-in-it-for-me type of friends. The real deal.

Andrea said that people want to be invested in a writer’s success. They love being a part of grassroots campaign supporting an individual and a project they believe in. By reaching out and connecting in this way, we’re giving a community the opportunity to do just that.

She also said start early, well before publication. Don’t wait until you’re holding the book in your hand. Let the process of genuinely connecting with others begin right away!

I can do that.

Speaking of connecting, this week author pal and former SCBWI RA Erin Dealy shared a blog thread about debut authors from her website. The thread title is What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Book. In it, she toys with a pregnancy theme. It’s fun, clever, and insightful! Check it out.

So, the debut author tip of the day is to reach out to others in a genuine, friendly, and personal way locally, professionally, and in cyber space. Build authentic relationships. Also, don’t wait until publication. Begin today!

I’m over-the-top-Christmas-morning excited to announce that I have signed a contract to publish Playing Like a Girl, a non-fiction picture book about courageous female athletes from 1827 to present day and the eventual passing of Title IX, with Charlesbridge Publishing. Thanks to the patient tenacity of my brilliant agent, Melissa Nasson, come Fall 2017, my dream will come true.

However, I’ve been around this book business long enough to know that, though the thought of publishing a real, live book is one of the most thrilling things imaginable; I have plenty of work ahead of me. And, I’m going to have fun doing it.

I’m open to topic suggestions, too. Do you have wisdom to share? Do you need help in some area? Do you know of some great resource that we all can benefit from? Feel free to submit a comment. Let me know your thoughts. I want to know what you have to say.